Looters ‘dressed as firefighters’ heap more horror to those who lost their homes in LA wildfires
Share:
A ‘red flag’ warning is in place for more strong wind which could worsen wildfires which are still ravaging Los Angeles. The death toll has risen to 16, with entire neighbourhoods charred and fire hydrants running out of water in the tinderbox conditions.
![[Trump criticising the fire response los angeles]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235744548-0f4a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=600)
An overnight curfew has been imposed in fire areas to deter theft from homes either burned or evacuated, with two looters even ‘posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses’, according to police. Separately, two men were arrested outside Vice President Kamala Harris’s home in Brentwood, an upmarking suburb in the area threatened by the Palisades fire.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Edward Harris/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15096720aa) A plane drops Phos-Chek flame retardant in Mandeville Canyon during the Palisades Fire. California Wildfires 2025: Palisades Fire, Los Angeles, USA - 11 Jan 2025]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235719863-c131.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Firefighters said that over 100 square miles of homes and vegetation had been consumed in the flames, which have burned down more than 12,000 buildings. Fire chief Kristin Crowley said city officials are now preparing for a new surge of wind which will raise fire risk again.
![[A firefighter sets a back burn in front of the advancing Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235506775-d5f3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘Strong north to north east winds with gusts of up to 50mph and low humidity are expected today with a red flag warning in effect until 6pm on Wednesday, she told a press conference. ‘Strong Santa Ana winds are also expected to last through Wednesday with the strongest winds occurring on Tuesday. With the next wave of wind events, I want to be very clear here. It’s very important the community understands that these wind events are coming into Los Angeles.
![[A team of firefighters sent by Mexico to California to help teams battling the raging wildfires stand upon arrival, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 11, 2025. Office of Governor Gavin Newsom/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235704766-4417.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
